Professor James Tumine, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Kabale University, has warned that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) against Real Intelligence (RI) in teacher training undermines the brain’s ability to be innovative and creative, as required when administering lessons to learners.
He emphasised that AI should only be used as a tool to guide technological advancements, not to replace Real Intelligence, which fosters critical thinking, especially in the teaching profession.
‘Concentrate on Real Intelligence (RI) instead of Artificial Intelligence (AI) because it gives students a chance to use their brains to be innovative and creative,’ Prof Tumwine said.
Artificial intelligence (AI), which is part of computer science, is a system capable of performing activities that require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, understanding language, and making decisions.
Meanwhile, real intelligence involves the use of the mental capacity to learn, adapt, and solve complex problems.
Prof Tumwine raised the concern on Thursday while delivering a keynote address to the council of the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) from the Kabale Campus.
UNITE is the body designated to take over all teacher training in Uganda and offer bachelor’s degrees, a move which was aimed at phasing out Grade III and diploma-level qualifications.
However, Professor Betty Akullu Ezati, the Vice Chancellor UNITE headquarters in Kampala, noted that their strategic direction is the vocationalisation of teacher education, which focuses on practice and hands-on experiences as an integral part of teaching and learning.
She outlined several challenges, including the poor state of equipment and facilities such as laboratory and library resources in all their campuses, which need upgrading to suit the standard of a degree-awarding institution.
The council was in the area to assess the state of infrastructure at the Kabale campus.
UNITE Vice Chairperson Ms Teopista Birungi Mayanja told stakeholders that they will take charge of regulating the education system by emphasising professionalism.